Performance of the ages

It was hard finding words to describe the performance of Cocalico’s Jhett Janis Friday night at Lampeter-Strasburg. Wow, or unbelievable, come to mind.

With his team in need of a major spark, he delivered one of the best live, clutch performances I’ve ever seen. Three picks, a punt return for a touchdown, five total TDs…He literally put his team on his back in the fourth quarter.

Perhaps lost because of his fourth-quarter heroics (see game story) was the pick he made in the first half to set up Cocalico’s go-ahead score just before the half. Lampeter Strasburg’s Collin Shank threw about 20 yards down the field where Janis laid out and with one hand, scooped it and trapped the ball against his helmet, a la David Tyree in the Super Bowl several years ago, as he hit the ground.

If you didn’t get to see it, Blue Ridge has an amazing angle of the play on its web site at: cable11.com.

First Impressions: My first impressions of Ephrata possibly moving down to Section Three and Cocalico staying in Two are that this is a win-win for both schools.

The Mounts can go down to Section Three where they can compete on most nights, get some wins under their belts and hopefully inject more life into the program. And Cocalico deserves to stay in Section Two.

When it was originally announced that the Eagles were going to Three last spring, nearly every coach in the L-L League expressed their dismay that the Eagles didn’t deserve to go down. Unfortunately, no one was willing to switch.

I’m happy that it worked out for the Eagles, and I’m hoping that it works out for Ephrata.

Speaking of Ephrata: This Friday the Mounts have a legitimate shot to earn their first win of the season when they host Solanco. Hopefully, the community comes out and supports these kids.

I was shocked two weeks ago at E-town when I looked into the stands behind the Ephrata sidelines. There were hardly any students, and very few fans in general. In my estimation, if you don’t count the band, there were fewer than 100 fans in the stands.

I’m hoping there is a bigger turnout this week, and next at Cocalico. Come out and support a group of kids that really need it.

Brad Sweigart: The Ephrata graduate and son of EHS Athletic Director Steve Sweigart took third place overall at the Empire State Marathon held in Syracuse, NY this past weekend.

Sweigart, who ran cross country at both Ephrata and Lebanon Valley College, finished in a time of 2:45:28 to capture the bronze in a field of 522 runners.

The 24-year-old is currently in his third year as a German teacher in the Cumberland Valley School District.